NICOLE ESPOSITO

"'Immediately one is struck by the sensitivity, technical proficiency and joy of these two performers... This lovely disc...is most welcome. It contains little known works for flute and harp - some are transcriptions - from composers that inhabit the areas that are a confluence of East meets West. This album contains charming music which is beautifully performed and a delight to the ear. The programme notes are also sufficiently informative... This is a very interesting disc, comprising works inspired by folk music from a very fascinating part of the world. The performers are very accomplished, both for their playing, but also for their arrangements."

Geoff Pearce, Classical Music Daily [2023]

"Intersections explores works for flute and harp that celebrate the music of Turkey, including the influence of surrounding countries and regions. The pieces featured, steeped in folk and dance melodies, are accessible, tuneful, and brimming with moments of lyricism and virtuoso display. Flutist Nicole Esposito and harpist Çagatay Akyol perform with artistic and technical distinction. The recording, made at the Voxman Concert Hall, University of Iowa School of Music, is lovely. This is a most pleasing recital on all accounts."

Ken Meltzer, Fanfare [March/April 2024]

"The disc starts very well: from Adrian Shaposhnikov comes an impressive three-movement Sonata for Flute and Harp that uses the instruments intelligently and expressively, offering a nearly angelic sound at times and pervasive lightness throughout."

Mark J. Estren, InfoDad [2023]

At the meeting point of Asia and Europe, the confluence of East and West, lies the country of Turkey, now known as the Republic of Türkiye. At various times part of the Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires, Turkey has a storied and tumultuous history, with deep roots and a strong sense of culture and tradition. Although parts of this tradition may seem to be obscured by shifting boundaries and continual interactions with other cultures, these intersections are in fact what makes the region distinct. Resting mostly on the Anatolian Peninsula, but also stretching into the Balkan Peninsula, musical influences on the region have been and remain diverse, ranging from historic Arabic and Persian interactions to more recent exchanges such as with neighboring Bulgaria and the Near East, including the former Soviet Republics of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmen. Turkish composers turned to folk music as an inspiration for national art music and one commonality in the region is the resulting hybridization. The pieces on this album capture the convergence of these traditions and the unique interpretations of these elements by native composers.
 
 
Nicole Esposito enjoys a career as soloist, chamber music collaborator and orchestral musician across the United States, Central and South America, Europe and Asia. She is sought after as a recitalist and master class presenter by prestigious music schools and festivals around the world. Also active as a recording artist, she can be heard on the Albany, Con Brio and MSR Classics labels. Esposito, who holds degrees from the University of Michigan and Carnegie Mellon University, is the flute professor and head of the woodwind area at The University of Iowa School of Music, from which she received the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Collegiate Teaching and International Engagement and Teaching Awards; she also serves as a visiting professor at the University of Chile. Esposito is an Artist for Miyazawa flutes and LefreQue sound bridges. She plays on a solid 14k gold Miyazawa flute with a 14k MZ-10 head joint with platinum riser and 24k gold and platinum LefreQue sound bridges.
 
International harp soloist and composer Çağatay Akyol is principal harpist of the Presidential Symphony Orchestra in Ankara, Turkey. After completing his harp studies in Berlin, Akyol performed with many orchestras and chamber orchestras such as the RSO Berlin, Staatskapelle Dresden and Mahler Chamber Orchestra. He has played under numerous noted conductors, including Claudio Abbado, Riccardo Chailly, Peter Eötvös, Michael Gielen, Bernard Haitink, James Judd and Giuseppe Sinopoli, and has performed as a harp soloist with the Bursa State Symphony Orchestra, Borusan Chamber Orchestra, Çukurova State Orchestra, Izmir State Orchestra, Milli Reasürans Chamber Orchestra and Presidential Symphony Orchestra. Akyol has participated in numerous radio and television programs and is the founding member of the Anatolian music group, Arpanatolia. ADRIAN SHAPOSHNIKOV (1888-1967)
SONATA FOR FLUTE AND HARP            
I. Andante con moto
II. Allegretto  
III. Allegro molto 
 
KEMAL GÜNÜÇ (b. 1961)
ANATOLIAN COLORS – FOUR SMALL PIECES FOR FLUTE AND HARP
Composed for Nicole Esposito and Çağatay Akyol
I. 5/8
II. 7/8
III. 8/8
IV. 9/8
 
FIKRET AMIROV (1922-1984)
6 STÜCKE FÜR FLÖTE UND KLAVIER                                                                          
I. Bardenweise (Song of the Ashug)
II. Wiegenlied (Lullaby)
III. Tanz (Dance)
IV. In den Bergen Aserbaidschans (In the Mountains of Azerbaijan) 
V. An der Quelle (At the Spring)
VI. Nocturne (Nocturne)
Transcribed for Flute and Harp by Nicole Esposito and Çağatay Akyol
 
ARNO BABADJANIAN (1921-1983)
MELODY
Transcribed for Flute and Harp by Nicole Esposito and Çağatay Akyol
           
ASSEN KARASTOYANOV (1893-1976)
10 PIECES FOR FLUTE AND PIANO                 
I. Prelude 
II. Haiduchka 
III. Echo 
IV. Spinstress
V. Harvest 
VI. Ratchenitza
VII. Shepherds 
VIII. Interwoven Threads
IX. Lullaby        
X. Daytchka
Transcribed for Flute and Harp by Nicole Esposito and Çağatay Akyol
 
THREE OLD ISTANBUL SONGS
Santuri Etham Bey (1855-1926)
ŞEHNAZ LONGA
Anonymous
KATIBIM
Kevser Hanim (1880-1950)
NIHAVENT LONGA
Arranged by Yusaf Yalçin | Transcribed for Flute and Harp by Çağatay Akyol
 



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